NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and to positively impact the community.

NSBE is comprised of more than 267 chapters on college and university campuses and more that 100 Alumni Extension chapters nation wide. These chapters are geographically divided into six regions.

The Society of Black Engineers began at Purdue University in April 1975. Black Engineering students from the United States and Canada attended the event. From this meeting of concerned students and educators, NSBE was born. In 1976, NSBE was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Texas. NSBE also became recognized as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.